SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

MONTONI partners with Super C and Jean Coutu to develop new retail complex in Mascouche, Quebec

News Mario Toneguzzi -
MONTONI develops, builds and manages real estate projects and it has completed more than 700 projects representing over 30 million square feet of industrial, commercial, institutional and residential construction and 30 corporate campuses, with another 25 million square feet under development–an impressive portfolio of properties across Québec.

Michael Hill Plans Further Canadian Store Expansion After Record Year

News Craig Patterson -
Michael Hill is targeting further growth in Canada after a record year, with store upgrades planned and additional locations under consideration.

Loblaw Plans More No Frills and Maxi Stores in $1.2B Expansion

News Craig Patterson -
Loblaw plans $1.2 billion in capital spending through the rest of 2026 as it accelerates No Frills and Maxi expansion across Canada.

Tapo Canada launches direct-to-consumer online store

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The new e-commerce operation allows Canadians to buy Tapo products directly from the brand while the company continues to sell through online and physical retailers across the country.

NerdWallet Canada study finds ‘doomspending’ spans generations

News Mario Toneguzzi -
NerdWallet Canada refers to the behaviour as “doomspending,” describing it as buying things people do not need because the future feels uncertain or saving money seems pointless.

Canadian Retailers Enter Holiday 2026 With Spending Momentum and Price-Sensitive Shoppers

News Craig Patterson -
Canadian shoppers are spending more heading into Holiday 2026, but Salesforce says price sensitivity, promotions, shipping costs and hybrid shopping will shape the season.

Build-A-Bear Refocuses Strategy as Canadian Store Network Evolves

News Lee Rivett -
Build-A-Bear is refocusing on customization and experiential retail after a weaker summer, as the retailer evolves its Canadian store network and targets collectors.

Temu Is Becoming a More Local Competitor for Canadian Retailers

News Lee Rivett -
Temu is expanding its local seller model as PDD Holdings invests in fulfillment and supply chains, with growing implications for Canadian retailers.

Dr. Phone Fix reports 32% revenue growth in Q2

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Revenue increased 32% to $3.76 million, compared with $2.86 million in Q2 2025. Approximately 60% of the year-over-year increase was attributable to same-store sales growth. Revenue also increased 19% from Q1 2026.

Canada Emerges as Leading Growth Market for Williams-Sonoma

News Craig Patterson -
Williams-Sonoma says Canada is leading international growth as Pottery Barn, West Elm and Williams Sonoma gain market share and expand digital and trade channels.

Daily Synopsis: August 31, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Happy belly expanding, 35 years since Simpsons shuttered, Westcliff expanding following Kingsway Mall acquisition, and other news.

CHFA NOW Toronto Is Coming Up: Why Retailers Should Attend

News Retail Insider -
CHFA NOW Toronto returns September 25–27, 2026. Discover new wellness products, emerging Canadian brands and industry connections at Exhibition Place.

Happy Belly Could Reach 183 Restaurants by 2027: Stifel

News Lee Rivett -
Happy Belly Food Group could reach 183 restaurants by the end of 2027 as franchising, development agreements and U.S. expansion drive growth, according to Stifel.

35 Years Since Simpsons Disappeared: The Story of a Canadian Department Store Icon

News Craig Patterson -
Thirty-five years after Simpsons disappeared, a look back at the department store’s rise, HBC takeover, St. Regis Room, Queen Street flagship and 1991 end.

Scandinavian furniture brand OMHU expands into the Canadian market

News Mario Toneguzzi -
OMHU is best known for its TEDDY—the modular, boneless sofa that’s taken over the internet.

Toronto’s newest wellness destination – The Practice

News Mario Toneguzzi -
From psychotherapy to sound baths, red light yoga to a rooftop patio - everything your nervous system has been asking for, under one 4-story roof 

Westcliff Open to Further Acquisitions Following Kingsway Mall Deal

News Craig Patterson -
Westcliff discusses its Kingsway Mall acquisition, return to Western Canada and strategy for further shopping centre acquisitions across Canada.

AI, Traceability and Resilience Reshape Global Retail Supply Chains: TradeBeyond Executive

News Mario Toneguzzi -
"Three decades in fashion and retail supply chains have taught me that change is constant, but the pace and complexity of change have accelerated dramatically."

Food Basics Launches ‘More Flavours of Home’ Cookbook Series Celebrating Ontario’s Cultural Food Traditions

News Mario Toneguzzi -
An opportunity to dive deeper beyond the hundreds of imported products key to many ethnicities that it carries, and into showcasing the people, recipes and traditions that make culture worth experiencing.

KFC Canada’s $30M bet on beverages

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The scale of the expansion is significant: Kwench is rolling out to more than 170 locations by summer’s end, with plans to reach 600 locations in 2027. 

Canadians Are Grocery Shopping More Often but Buying Less Each Time

News Sylvain Charlebois -
Canadian grocery shoppers are making more frequent purchases with smaller baskets as traditional grocers lose share, private labels gain ground and consumers increasingly spread spending across multiple retail channels.

Community pharmacies play a bigger role in Canadians’ health and local economies than many realize (Opinion)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Community pharmacy contributes nearly $23 billion annually to Canada’s economy.

From The Desk: Expansion and Adaptation Define This Week’s Canadian Retail Landscape

News Craig Patterson -
Canadian retail accelerates expansion with new stores and strategic investments amid evolving consumer demands and trade challenges.

Daily Synopsis: August 28, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
RCC cautions against boycotting American retailers, Harley-Davidson becomes trade war flash point, pharmacy opportunity for grocers, BC duty free retailer says things are bad, Tim Hortons sues Vancouver airport for shutting store, and other news.

Iconic BIC® Cristal Reimagined as Seletti Lamp, Available for Pre-Order at Maison Territo

News Retail Insider -
Maison Territo introduces Seletti’s new BIC® Lamp, a 12:1 reimagining of the iconic BIC® Cristal pen, now available for pre-order in Montréal.

Canadian economy bounces back in Q2: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
"The problem going forward is that trade uncertainty is back with new U.S. tariffs now imposed, Canadian retaliation due early next month, and the prospect of further escalation hard to dismiss."

DUER expands to Winnipeg market with new store at CF Polo Park

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The retailer has mapped 10 additional stores over the next 24 months, though Canadian retail is only one part of that vision. 

IGA Returns to Longtime Edmonton Grocery Site Following L’OCA Closure

News Craig Patterson -
Sobeys has reopened the Valleyview IGA in west Edmonton following L’OCA Market’s closure, returning the IGA banner to a grocery site with more than 60 years of history.

Cineplex Turns Movie Fandom Into Growing Retail Business

News Lee Rivett -
Cineplex is turning movie fandom into a growing retail business as merchandise sales jump 45% and moviegoer spending reaches record levels.

JD Sports Opens Downtown Montreal Flagship as Canadian Expansion Accelerates

News Craig Patterson -
JD Sports has opened a new flagship at 777 Sainte-Catherine Street West in downtown Montreal as the retailer rapidly expands its Canadian store network.

Best Buy Canada Sales Decline as Express Expansion Matures

News Lee Rivett -
Best Buy Canada revenue fell 4.2% in Q2 as the retailer lapped strong growth tied to its 167-store Best Buy Express expansion.

Explosive growth seen for Jersey Mike’s concept in Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company plans to open another 25 locations in 2027 as it works toward its initial goal of 300 Jersey Mike’s restaurants in Canada over the next 10 to 12 years.

Lessons retailers can learn from the Value Village experience: Doug Stephens

News Mario Toneguzzi -
“What they're really selling, when you get right down to it, is they're selling dopamine."

Retail payroll employment declines in June: Statistics Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
In June, the largest monthly declines in retail trade were in grocery and convenience retailers (-1,200; -0.3%).

Coffee Bike concept continues to expand across Canada (Video)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The first Coffee Bike in 2018 and has since sold 42 units to 27 owners.

EMERGE reports 7.4% revenue growth in Q2 2026

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Gross profit increased 14.8 per cent to $3.55 million from $3.09 million, while gross margin rose to 39 per cent from 36.5 per cent.

Vistera Launches Canadian-Built Platform for SMB Services

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The company said the launch marks a turning point for professional services in Canada.

Daily Synopsis: August 27, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Chapman's Ice Cream to cut American ingredients, Montreal Shein pop-up sees protest, Saskatchewan launches 50% US alcohol tariff, Drake launching U of T collection for fall, SSENSE grapples with new tariffs, and other news.

Renewed ‘Buy Canadian’ Movement Begins Reshaping Retail Strategy

News Lee Rivett -
The Buy Canadian movement is gaining momentum as retailers promote domestic products, consumers seek Canadian alternatives and tariffs reshape retail strategy.

Authentic Takes Majority Stake in Drake’s OVO as Vince Takes Over Retail Operations

News Craig Patterson -
Authentic Brands Group has announced its acquisition of a majority stake in OVO's intellectual property, co-founded by Drake. The partnership aims to expand OVO's global reach while maintaining its creative identity.

Lessons for Mid-Market Retail from the Roots Acquisition

News Jared Gordon -
The Roots acquisition offers lessons for mid-market retailers on differentiation, brand value, cultural relevance and protecting the assets customers value.

Samsung Canada Reinforces Role of Physical Retail as Technology Evolves

News Craig Patterson -
Samsung Canada is investing in experience-led stores that support product discovery, education and service as consumers increasingly move between digital and physical shopping channels.

Reitmans Names Lilly Singh and Katherine Levac as New National Ambassadors for Fall 2026 Campaign

News Mario Toneguzzi -
On Monday, August 17, Reitmans brought fashion courtside at Scotiabank Arena, transforming the Toronto Tempo court into a live runway for 146 guests, composed...

Corby Spirit and Wine Limited sees record full-year Fiscal 2026 results 

News Mario Toneguzzi -
FY26 Revenue of $271.6 million (+10%) and Organic Revenue +11%.

Purdys Chocolatier to open four Maritime locations Sept. 4

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The expansion adds a new regional market for the Vancouver-based company, which has operated as a family-owned business since 1907.

Canadian retailers could face higher costs and rising prices due to tariffs: Coface

News Mario Toneguzzi -
Furniture, cosmetics, hardware, appliances, dairy and seafood are among the retail categories most exposed to the current tariff measures.

The Book Corner pop-up launches at Guildford Town Centre (Photos)

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The independent pop-up for book lovers will feature 1,000+ books with 100% of proceeds supporting the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society and literacy initiatives

HEQ partners with Sleep Country to offer perks to Ontario homeowners

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The partnership will provide HEQ homeowners with exclusive Sleep Country offers, although the companies did not disclose the specific terms or value of the perks.

IKEA and Xbox launch gaming-focused home collection in Canada

News Mario Toneguzzi -
The collection was developed jointly by IKEA and Xbox, with one designer from each company working on every piece.

Daily Synopsis: August 26, 2026

Curated Digest Retail Insider -
Buy Canadian movement accelerates, tariff war collides with Amazon plans, Loblaw flags tariff products, Mayrand opening Quebec store, downtown Toronto tailor offering $80k vicuna suit, and other news.
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